No.176
1 December 2002
BACK
|
|  |
Community Employment Organisations 2002
Details from Community Employment Group and Press Statement from Employment Minister
Steve Maharey 12 November 2002
Northland
Community Environment and Business
Centre (Kaitaia) is establishing an enterprise marketing
a proven solar water heating system across communities in the Far North of the North Island. It
was approved a grant of $80,000, with seven jobs planned to be created. A further $100,000 has
now been approved, with three jobs planned to be created. Energy savings across the Far North, from
the wider adoption of the solar water heating systems, will lower regional energy costs and assist
economic development. Production and installation processes for the solar heating units are providing
employment and on-the-job training opportunities. As the enterprise expands, it will offer the franchise for
the product to community groups throughout New Zealand.
Auckland
He Iwi Kotahi Tatau Trust (Moerewa) provides services to low-income community members
including an energy efficiency upgrading service for homes, a recycling centre, and a web-page design
business. It was approved a grant of $75,000, with eight jobs planned to be created.
Moving Image Centre (Central Auckland) promotes young digital-media artists. It was approved
a grant of $24,940, with three jobs planned to be created. Activities established at low-cost include
an editing suite for aspiring film-making talent, gallery exposure of new artists, an educational resource
for schools, and a public video library.
Peer Health Development (central Auckland) provides opportunities for youth without prior
formal training to develop graphic arts skills and learn to create resources that target their peers. It was
approved a grant of $62,100, with seven jobs planned to be created. Some of their upskilled
employees have moved on to take up further career opportunities.
Coromandel
Thames Energy Futures Trust operates an energy efficiency upgrading service for homes in
the Thames area, together with a resource efficiency education programme for local communities. It
was approved a grant of $35,000, with four jobs planned to be created. It is now operating
independently and investigating extensions to its business activities.
Waikato
Kirikiriroa Marae Trust (Hamilton) is developing forestry contract work in the central North
Island from Taumaranui northwards to North Waikato and Coromandel. It was
approved a grant of $75,000, with 12 jobs planned to be created. Unemployed Mâori are filling 75% of the jobs created and
industry qualification training is being provided.
Te Omeka Trust (Matamata) is developing a food production enterprise based in the Bay
of Plenty - Waikato, that is providing employment for disadvantaged people in the labour market. It was
approved a grant of $80,000, with eight jobs planned to be created. Ingredients are sourced mainly from
the market gardens and stock farms of Mâori
land corporations. It is providing employment,
training opportunities, and motivation for unemployed people. Its food production operations have
helped sustain the ongoing viability of other firms in the signage, freightage, and raw-product segments of
the food industry.
Whaingaroa Harbour Care (Raglan) operates a service that improves water quality and marine
life through harbour fringe plantings and has won a Green Ribbon Conservation Award for services to
the environment. It was approved a grant of $15,500, with three jobs planned to be created. It
has quickly matured to the stage where it is operating independently.
X-treme Waste Society Inc (Raglan) operates a recycling centre and a community-outreach
education programme. It was approved a grant of $19,795, with one job planned to be created. Over 70%
of the material brought to the centre for recycling has been diverted from landfill, and the centre's
new retail outlet is 80% stocked with products from recycling. The education programme includes a
weekly radio show, community events, and a local newspaper.
Bay of Plenty
Compass Community Trust (Tauranga) undertakes refurbishment and development work leading
to the creation of employment opportunities and on-the-job training for long-term unemployed persons.
It was approved a grant of $59,500, with five jobs planned to be created. An additional $56,300
has now been approved, with two jobs planned to be created. Its employees work on buildings and
structures within the Compass Community Village, a colonial style village where 65 community groups
and trusts are accommodated.
Te Tawharau Charitable Trust (Te Teko) is developing e-commerce solution services in Te Teko.
It was approved a grant of $41,000, with six jobs planned to be created. Development of
E-Commerce services will provide information technology employment opportunities for local people.
Gisborne/East Coast
Matakaoa Charitable Work Trust (Hicks Bay) provides employment opportunities for
disadvantaged rural unemployed persons. It was approved a grant of $80,000, with four jobs planned to be created.
Employees are given work on farm projects as well as community projects. Training is provided
for employees to promote best practice in calf rearing, possum control, bee keeping, and zero waste
refuse management.
Ngai Tai Iwi Authority (Opotiki) provides affordable, quality housing and garaging options for
communities in the Bay of Plenty region. It was approved a grant of $24,400, with eight jobs planned to
be created. Its building operations provide opportunities, through training and education, for local
people to find employment in the building trade. These include apprenticeships, and sales and
marketing positions.
Te Runanga O Turanganui A Kiwa (Gisborne) is developing fishing operations from its base in
the Gisborne area. It was approved a grant of $49,500, with one and a half jobs planned to be created.
Further development of its governance, management, and commercial structures for the fishing
operation is expected to build capacity and capability for independent operation and lead to the creation
of employment opportunities.
Tokomaru Bay Community Group Charitable
Trust has been developing and establishing an
internet café service in Hicks Bay. It was approved a grant of $29,000, with one job planned to be created.
It specialises in the provision of low-cost internet services and computer education.
Vanessa Lowndes Centre (Gisborne) is operating a small engraving business. It was approved a
grant of $25,000, with one job planned to be created. The nature of the business enables it to provide
pre-vocational services and employment opportunities for disabled people within the Tairawhiti region.
Waiapu Work Trust (Tikitiki) operates in the Waiapu Valley to provide work for unemployed people
in the surrounding East Coast district. It was approved a grant of $80,000, with 42 jobs planned to
be created. It provides employment and on-the-job training opportunities for unskilled local
people through the provision of contract services to the farming and forestry sectors, and through sheep
and cattle farming on leasehold land.
Central North Island
Te Kupenga Trust (Taupo) trainees provide a labour pool service as part of a Mâori tourism
business incubator. It was approved a grant of $142,000, with 16 jobs planned to be created.
Te Mauku Trust (Taupo) operates an eco-cultural tourism initiative that is providing local
employment opportunities with spin-offs for the local cottage and hospitality industries. It was approved a grant
of $40,000, with two jobs planned to be created. Trust employees have begun providing mentoring
to other community organisations.
Taranaki
Ta'i Taatou Trust (New Plymouth) operates a labour-intensive firewood and by-product supply
and marketing operation in the Waitara area. It was approved a grant of $30,000, with two jobs
planned to be created. The operation is providing employment opportunities for disadvantaged
long-term unemployed Mâori with minimal school qualifications, and criminal convictions.
Training opportunities provided with employment include NZQA accreditation for chainsaw safety, use, and maintenance,
and basic first-aid training. Marketable by-products generated are sawdust, mulch, and compost.
Value-adding processing of timber for fencing materials is planned, that will generate more income and
provide further employment opportunities.
Manawatu
Genesis Trust (Palmerston North) offers employment to people with criminal histories and
supports their efforts to become productive employees and stay crime-free. It was approved a grant
of $79,718, with 20 jobs planned to be created. An additional $96,000 has now been approved.
Identification of learning disabilities is given high priority so that relevant agency support can be initiated.
Te Rangimarie Marae Committee (Palmerston North) operates community outreach services
and programmes that provide learning opportunities based on kaupapa Mâori. It was approved a grant
of $30,000, with five jobs planned to be created. Revenue is generated from fees charged to
groups in the wider Palmerston North community that purchase the services and programmes.
Employment opportunities have been created to meet the demand for services and programmes. Spin-offs for
the Rangiotu community and district have been visitors requiring catering and overnight stays, and
demand for arts and crafts.
Wellington
Hosanna Global Trust (Lower Hutt) assists Pacific People to establish businesses, and provides
a placement service for long-term unemployed Pacific Peoples. It was approved a grant of
$51,993, with four jobs planned to be created. A further $82,859 has now been approved, with one job
planned to be created. The CEO has developed the necessary client databases and has networks with
potential employers and student liaison advisors.
Kaitiaki O Kapiti Charitable Trust (Otaki) operates whanau owned eco-tourism initiatives on
Kapiti Island including guided or self-guided walking tours, kayaking, snorkelling, an educational overview,
and camps and special programmes for children. It was
approved a grant of $28,000, with three jobs planned to be created. A spin-off has been that other Mâori are accessing the experiences of
the organisation as a resource for developing tourism initiatives.
SPCA Wellington (Newtown) established a full-time administration position that enabled its
veterinary arm to operate more effectively as an income stream. It was approved a grant of $10,530, with
one job planned to be created. An outcome sought is for animal welfare services in the wider
Wellington community to become more effective.
Te Whanau Paneke Inc (Lower Hutt) provides support and a retail outlet
called Mâori Treasures for local Mâori artists to market their creations to tourists. It was approved a grant, with nine jobs
planned to be created. Links with other local tourism activities have been developed and a harakeke
supply network has been established for the weavers, who in turn supply Mâori Treasures with woven items.
A spin-off has been the development of a cottage industry of weavers, painters, and potters who
market their work through Mâori Treasures. Iwi and Pacific peoples' delegations are consulting with
Mâori Treasures with a view to establishing their own outlets based on the Mâori Treasures model.
Nelson
Golden Bay Organic Employment and Education
Trust (Takaka) operates a shop selling locally grown organic produce that has created employment for people who were formerly unemployed
or part-time. It was approved a grant of $15,888, with three jobs planned to be created. An
additional $11,082 has now been approved. The shop has earned a `Top Shop Award' and local growers
have picked up extra work due to increased demand for the shop's produce.
Kahurangi Employment Trust (Nelson) operates a recycling service diverting approximately 20
cubic metres of waste weekly from landfill. It was approved a grant of $15,053, with two jobs planned to
be created. It operates a shop currently generating approximately $100 per week from the sale of
recycled products.
West Coast
Ross Goldfields Information and Heritage
Centre provides an information centre, retail outlet,
and tourism activities associated with the gold prospecting history of Ross. It was approved a grant
of $30,000, with one job planned to be created.
The Blue Spur Development and Promotion Association
Inc (Hokitika) provides a local tourism information centre. It was approved a grant of $16,925, with one job planned to be created.
Visitor numbers at the centre are steadily increasing and the service has been successful in encouraging
more tourists to stay in the district longer, on average.
Canterbury
Global Kitchen Trust (Christchurch) is based at the Pasefika Education and Employment
Training Organisation (PEETO) in Christchurch and operates a labour pool for catering assignments. It
was approved a grant of $28,930, with three jobs planned to be created. It employs migrants and
refugees whose skills cover a range of ethnic cuisines. The catering operations also provide a meeting
place/focal point for migrants and refugees.
Innovative Waste Kaikoura Ltd (Kaikoura) provides environmentally sustainable waste
collections and recycling contract services. It was approved a grant of $25,000, with three jobs planned to
be created. It has quickly matured to the stage where it is now operating independently and has no
further need of grant funding.
Looking Good Employment Trust (Christchurch) provides education and support to
unemployed people to enable them to gain a clear understanding of ways to increase their confidence and self
esteem in preparation for a job interview or other life challenge. It was approved a grant of $19,700, with
three jobs planned to be created. During the first year of operation, it worked with 271 participants, 50
of whom moved into full-time employment, 32 into part-time employment, and 45 into training. It is
now operating independently.
Organic City Trust (Opawa) undertakes marketing, promotion, and education activities, relating
to organic produce and operates a warehouse servicing organic farming operations. It was approved
a grant of $55,209, with two jobs planned to be created. The Trust is facilitating communication
between organic growers and their customers so that growers become more responsive to demand.
Organic horticultural students are offered work experience opportunities at the warehouse.
Peel Forests Outdoor Pursuits (Geraldine) has developed an Eco Centre for a range of groups
including schools, sports teams, and youth groups, to undertake outdoor, adventure-based,
environmental education residential programmes. It was approved a grant of $56,250, with six jobs planned to
be created.
Schizophrenia Fellowship Canterbury
Branch (Christchurch) is developing an enterprise in
the Christchurch area supplying and delivering `small garden' compost (Zoo Doo) made of
reconstituted and processed animal dung from Orana park. It was approved a grant of $47,200, with one and
one half jobs planned to be created. Other products include Rose Mulch, Terracotta Tub Mix, and
Bark Nuggets. It has the capacity to become independent and to provide vocational opportunities for
people with schizophrenia and related disorders that may, in time, enable them to sustain full or part-time
employment.
Teamworks South Canterbury (South Canterbury Rugby Football Union Inc based in Timaru)
operates an employment labour pool in South Canterbury. It was approved a grant of $61,713, with
100 jobs planned to be created. The labour pool provides part-time, casual, permanent, and new
skill opportunities for unemployed persons.
Taua Mahi Trust (Christchurch) provides basic training employment opportunities that enable
low-income, low-skilled people to learn how to maintain vehicles in roadworthy condition. It was
approved a grant of $48,440, with ten jobs planned to be created. The target group is youth and the
limited employment opportunities they compete for are often part-time and at a distance. Through
repairing their cars the trainees gain access to employment opportunities in the wider community.
Additional income for the Trust is generated from servicing vehicles of regular customers.
Te Runanga O Nga Maata Waaka Inc (Christchurch) is establishing a recording studio that will
provide contract services in sound recording. Itwas approved a grant of $45,000, with one and one
half jobs planned to be created.
Therapeutic Arts Trust is establishing a retail outlet for home-grown products of artists, musicians,
and designers in the Christchurch area. It was approved a grant of $58,295, with three jobs planned to
be created. Exhibitions and performances are creating further enterprise and employment
opportunities, particularly for youthful aspiring artists, musicians, and designers.
Wastebusters Trust Canterbury (Ashburton) operates a kerb-side recycling service together
with education advisory services to councils, communities, and other waste recycling operators. It
was approved a grant of $60,000, with two jobs planned to be created. It processes and markets
140 tonnes of materials for recycling per month. Spin-offs for the local economy include increased
revenues for transport, engineering, and electrical companies.
OTAGO
Approach Employment Training (Dunedin) is establishing a community enterprise based on
commercial catering. Financial surpluses from catering operations are used to subsidise affordable and
nutritious lunches at 10 low-decile primary schools in Dunedin. It was approved a grant of $27,798, with
two jobs planned to be created. A further $29,981 has now been approved, with three jobs planned to
be created. During the first year of operation, the CEO provided 30,000 school lunches.
Nga Tukukitanga O Taieri (Mosgiel) is developing a community recycling centre and shop, at
the Dunedin City Council Landfill. It was approved a grant of $50,660, with four jobs planned to
be created. Recycling and selling of recycled materials is providing employment opportunities in
the Mosgiel area and low income families are benefiting from being able to purchase repaired
household items at affordable prices. Its operations are based on the triple-bottom-line accounting approach
and any long-term profits will help fund community educational and social projects.
Palmerston Gateway to Gold is developing a community-based business to attract visitors to
the town and create sustainable employment opportunities for unemployed people. It was approved
a grant of $35,022, with two jobs planned to be created. Increases in visitor numbers are having
major economic development spin-offs for the community.
Youthgrow (Presbyterian Support _ Otago based in Dunedin) provides employment and
on-the-job training opportunities for low-skilled youth who are disadvantaged in the labour market. It was
approved a grant of $15,000, with one job planned to be created. Employee numbers are steadily
increasing, with the time taken to win outside employment averaging around two years. One
employee has progressed to a tertiary training institute and on to employment, another has won a job
in Invercargill, and two others have won places in the modern apprenticeship scheme.
Vanished World Inc (Oamaru) provides guided tours of fossil sites for local and overseas visitors and
a fossil centre is under construction. It was approved a grant of $50,000, with three jobs planned to
be created. Partnerships with three local enterprises have been mutually beneficial in terms of
increased visitor numbers. Spin-offs for local hospitality service providers are expected when the fossil centre
is completed.
SOUTHLAND
Southland Mature Employment Charitable
Trust (Invercargill) provides employment
opportunities and related training for urban disadvantaged unemployed. It was approved a grant of $35,111,
with seven jobs planned to be created. An additional $38,430 has now been approved. It has increased
its community networking and undertakes a range of activities in the community providing respite
care, childcare, rest-room attendants, and general services such as gardening
Enquiries — The Community Employment Group, P.O.Box 3705, Wellington, phone 04-915-4270
Sources —
|
